From the outset, "Detectives on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" pretty much follows in a similar vein to the Comic Strip Presents... previous, seventies detective series spoof: "The Bullshitters." Especially considering the maverick duo of Bonehead and Foyle were brought back for this hilarious outing. It's straight forward premise concerns the murder of master TV sleuth and chef, "The Gourmet Chef" after the filming of one of his cookery shows has ended. With a spangly boot found at the scene of the crime, it is left to the Police forces commander and chief to call in seventies coppers, "Shouting" George of "The Weeny", Bonehead and Folye who make up "The Bullshitters as well as the flamboyant, sophisticated, David Bentley. The purpose of which is to assist contemporary Geordie detective, David Spanker crack the case as it appears to be a seventies style crime that needs to be solved by seventies style crime-solvers. Inevitably the clash of styles and egos proves to be problematic at best.
With a neat although not entirely fresh concept DOTVNB showcases much of what was best about The Comic Strip Presents....when it was at it's most ingenious. Inspired casting, some clever and amusing set pieces with a wonderfully funny musical number to set the comedic ball rolling, it never really let up up until it's satisfying conclusion. The entire cast bounces off one another superbly and seem to be genuinely enjoying themselves in each of their individual roles, with the most enthusiastic turn coming from a an aggressively, load mouthed and abrasive Jim Broadbent who parodies the late John Thaw's Jack Reagan superbly. Peter Richardson and Keith Allen are once again reliably effective as the swaggering Bonehead and Foyle with the former also donning a silk suit with frills to play the smooth talking charmer Jason Bentley with considerable aplomb .
The hilarity that ensues as the mismatched members of the team figuratively butt heads and the natural chemistry that flows, especially in the amusing pub scene nearer the end would be close to impossible to match. If there is a flaw however that at only half an hour in length (the majority of Comic Strip episode were about an hour long) it perhaps seems to end after it's only just got started. Never the less, that aside it's still difficult to fault what is essentially an effortlessly constructed piece of lampoonery. Not one to miss if you can get a hold of it to watch.
With a neat although not entirely fresh concept DOTVNB showcases much of what was best about The Comic Strip Presents....when it was at it's most ingenious. Inspired casting, some clever and amusing set pieces with a wonderfully funny musical number to set the comedic ball rolling, it never really let up up until it's satisfying conclusion. The entire cast bounces off one another superbly and seem to be genuinely enjoying themselves in each of their individual roles, with the most enthusiastic turn coming from a an aggressively, load mouthed and abrasive Jim Broadbent who parodies the late John Thaw's Jack Reagan superbly. Peter Richardson and Keith Allen are once again reliably effective as the swaggering Bonehead and Foyle with the former also donning a silk suit with frills to play the smooth talking charmer Jason Bentley with considerable aplomb .
The hilarity that ensues as the mismatched members of the team figuratively butt heads and the natural chemistry that flows, especially in the amusing pub scene nearer the end would be close to impossible to match. If there is a flaw however that at only half an hour in length (the majority of Comic Strip episode were about an hour long) it perhaps seems to end after it's only just got started. Never the less, that aside it's still difficult to fault what is essentially an effortlessly constructed piece of lampoonery. Not one to miss if you can get a hold of it to watch.
